Dear Sir,

On Friday, October 2, in a glorious celebration of her four years on radio, announcer Gina Spence said that she had received her “doctorate” and should be called “Doctor”. Surely, if this was indeed an academic degree earned at a university, it would go without saying. Indeed, our own Chief Justice, Dr Ian Kawaley, studied for his doctorate from an accredited university, but the media rarely refer to him in this way. Indeed, so did his wife study for hers. They passed exams and wrote theses.

When Dame Jennifer Smith was given an honorary degree D HmL, she knew that she could be called “Doctor” for a day and then the letters would go at the end of her name, but she would not be called doctor every day. Indeed, in Bermuda’s long history, only one person was referred to as doctor, even though it was an honorary degree. And that has been the template used in Bermuda to clearly distinguish scholarship that is earned, after hard work, as compared with the conferring of a title for service or some other accomplishment but it is not matriculated. To prove it, ask these recent honorary doctors for their theses. Apparently, they were asked a few questions by a group called “Circa Seminary” and “passed”. (Can’t be found on the internet or in any university journals. The fact that some people called to receive one but declined says even more.)

Surely the establishment that gave out such titles this weekend in a church must know that it has done the world of scholastic achievement no good by stating you can call yourself “Doctor” from now on when the institution itself has a very dubious record and cannot be found on the web.

Some might say, “what does that have to do with it?”

A lot.

People spend a great deal of time to study, and they pay a lot of money and have to pass all subjects and present a thesis, which has to be argued and accepted before the title is conferred. To get it any other way still makes it a “one-day title” and to use it otherwise shows great disrespect to those of us studying for a doctorate or those who received it. Even the chief executive officer of the teachers’ union should acknowledge that the one he recently received would be used for only a day in the United States. And while many of the clergy will cling to it, they should reread their Bibles, where “title clinging” is not condoned but condemned.

To begin with, the Minister of Education and the president of the Bermuda College should be asked for clarification. Once they do that, our students will once again be inspired to study and receive a doctorate based on matriculation. If, however, they neglect their responsibility and we allow this to grow, everyone in the country will be called “Doctor” and when called on for expertise will sound and look like “silly billies”.

Which reminds me, in closing, of a frequent caller to Mrs Spence’s show who wanted there to be a Bermuda team in the America’s Cup, boasting we had experienced sailors. When asked if we had a boat, he said: “What’s that got to do with it?’

Sincerely,

ACADEMICS FIRST